Anthony Joshua will not be fighting Wladimir Klitschko this year.
Britain’s IBF world champion looked pretty much set to face the former heavyweight king on December 10 in a £30m superfight.
It would have been the biggest test of the unbeaten Brit’s career against the 40-year-old Ukrainian who was dethroned by Tyson Fury a year ago.
But efforts to make the fight happen in December looked to have been dashed at the death by an injury to Klitschko.
It is not yet clear about the nature of the former champion’s injury that he picked up in training, but it has ended hopes of a superfight this year.
Joshua though will still defend his world title in December and a new opponent is expected to be named by the end of the week.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “We’ve been in deep negotiations for a few weeks now waiting on the decision from the WBA.
“I was made aware that Wladimir picked up a minor injury late last week but regardless of that, with just over six weeks to go ’til December 10, it’s unrealistic to put together a fight of this magnitude and give it the full build up it deserves.
“There will be an official announcement on Joshua v Klitschko coming very soon but for now we are seeking a new foe for December 10 and building a huge card for Manchester.”
There have been a few named bandied about in recent weeks including Lucas Browne, who holds a version of the WBA world heavyweight title and unbeaten New Zealander Joseph Parker who is a mandatory challenger for Joshua’s belt.
Fellow British heavyweight David Price has also thrown his hat into the ring for a big money bout with Joshua, who has 17 KO wins on his record.
Klitschko thought will still be desperate to fight AJ, who is the biggest draw in heavyweight boxing right now, but it looks like a potential match-up would have to wait until next year.
Fans were obviously gutted that this tantalising bout has now been put on ice…
https://twitter.com/jackburnessharp/status/790646870699827200
Joshua v Klitschko off now, apparently Klitschko has an injury better financially for them both to fight next summer at Wembley
— Mohamed Elmi (@Mohamed1994Elmi) October 24, 2016
@EddieHearn nooooooooooooooooooooooooo @anthonyfjoshua we need this fight on. #JoshuaKlitschko
— Steve De'Ath (@StephenD35) October 24, 2016
@Klitschko unfortunately injured gutted ! That puts an end to this years big heavyweight clash with @anthonyfjoshua #JoshuaKlitschko
— Lee Williams (@Leewilliams730) October 24, 2016
Joshua Klitschko off. Looks like it will be Price hopefully!
— Jonny (@jonnyescott) October 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/Jurassic_Parky/status/790645101374603264
Boente says Klitschko's pulled a calf muscle, still wants Joshua in spring if the WBA sanction it.
Over to you again… @WBABoxing #Boxing
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/owiddo96/status/790644749669498880
You can't really say that Klitschko bottled the Joshua fight, had a much easier option & he wants the WBA back. Shame though.
— Shaun Mulhern (@shaunmulhern95) October 24, 2016
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